The Palmer Drought index moved southwest Ohio into the moderate drought category this week, although this is an area-wide average and most of the Cincinnati metro area had good rainfall in the last week. In fact, Anderson Township has had in excess of 6 inches this month and my Cheviot 0.9 SSE location has had 4.17 inches.
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A heat wave is underway in North America, centered in the great plains of the U.S.. Cincinnati is on the eastern edge of this heat wave. While extreme heat and worsening drought are affecting Texas, with very hot air into Missouri, this pattern will lead to very warm and relatively dry weather in the Ohio valley. Most of the Ohio valley had decent rains last week. Only scattered showers are possible this week along with summertime heat, so things may dry out as the week goes on. Watch plants and new trees for signs of needing water.
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A very warm, humid and unstable airmass across the Ohio Valley is setting the stage for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and later tonight. A few thunderstorms may develop later this afternoon, mainly near an outflow boundary which stretches from eastern Indiana into south central Ohio. Any storms which develop this afternoon may become severe with large hail and damaging winds.
A more organized complex of thunderstorms is expected to develop across the mid-Mississippi Valley and lower Great Lakes this evening, and roll into parts of the Ohio Valley late this evening and overnight. The potential exists for a widespread damaging wind event across parts of Indiana, Ohio and far northern Kentucky tonight, with significant damaging winds in excess of 70 mph possible. Large hail and isolated tornadoes are also possible. In addition, these storms may contain very heavy rainfall which may lead to areas of flooding.
Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio or your local media outlet for more information on this potentially dangerous situation.
